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About Charlotte City Council

​Charlotte has a council-manager form of government with a mayor and 11 council members elected every two years in November, and a professional city manager to run the day-to-day operations. The mayor and four council members are elected at-large by a city-wide vote. Seven council members are elected from districts by voters who reside in each district.

Council illustrates vision of Charlotte at annual retreat

Earlier this year, City Council travelled to Durham for a three-day annual retreat. During the retreat, council took an in-depth look at existing focus areas and began to formulate a long term strategic vision for Charlotte.

When business was finished, council took part in an artistic team building activity –
“Creating Unity Through Art.” The goal of this activity was for the mayor and city council to reflect on the different roles they play as leaders in the Queen City and curate a visual representation of Charlotte’s future.

​More about City Council​

Charlotte adopted the council-manager form of government in 1929. This form of government divides
responsibilities between elected officials and an appointed city manager.

The mayor and city council are
the "board of directors" for this municipal corporation. As such,
they set policy, approve the financing of all city operations and enact
ordinances, resolutions and orders. Their responsibilities also include appointing
the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and members of various boards and
commissions.

The city manager, functioning as
the chief operating officer, administers the policy and decisions made by city
council and oversees the day-to-day operations of city government. It is the city manager's responsibility to ensure that
all city services are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner and
to provide vision and leadership to the city organization.

​The duties of the mayor and council

Together, the mayor and city council members are responsible for establishing the general policies under which the city operates. These include:

Appointing the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and members of various boards and commissions enacting ordinances, resolutions and orders.

Reviewing the annual budget, setting the tax rate and approving the financing of all city operations.